Valved bottle closure



April 9, 1963 A. GUYALA VALVED' BOTTLE CLOSURE Filed May 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. GUALA VALVED BOTTLE CLOSURE April 9, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 17, 1962 3,984,822 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 3,084,822 VALVEID BOTTLE LDURE Angelo Guala, 3 Via Qairoli, Alessanrlria, Italy Filed May 17, 1962, Ser. No. 195,482 6 (Iiaims. ((11. 215-21) This invention relates to a valved .bottle closure which is adapt-d to prevent unauthorized re-filling.

The invention provides a device of the type referred to which is simple and inexpensive in construction, affords a smooth and substantial delivery of a liquid from the bottle and prevents an unauthorized re-filling of the latter.

According to the invention there is provided a valve body and a valve seat both fixed to the bottle neck and a mushroom valve member comprising a cylindrical stern and a hollow head portion the outer surface of which is a revolution surface adapted to engage sealingly the valve seat, the said valve member being movable within a valve body and guided therein by guide means comprising an inner tubular extension of the valve body having a substantially larger diameter than said cylindrical stem and a plurality of ribs extending radially and inwardly from said valve body to define a cavity having a substantially larger diameter than said valve head portion.

Further charcteristic features and advantages of the improved device will be understood from the appended detailed description of two embodiments thereof which are given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURES 1 to are axial sectional views of an embodiment,

FIGURE 1 shows the valve in an upright position with a partially lifted cap,

FIGURE 2 is a view showing the valve being in its inc-lined position,

FIGURES 3 and 4 are views showing the valve horizontally arranged in its end positions, respectively,

FIGURE 5 is a view showing the components in their position during pouring of liquid from the bottle,

LFIGURES 6, 7 and 8 show a modification, FIGURE 6 being a vertical axial sectional view, FIGURE 7 a similar sectional view in which the valve is shown in another position, FIGURE 8 being a sectional view on line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES l to 5 a bottle neck 1 has fitted thereon a washer 3 in the form of a centrally bored disc of plastics, such as polyethylene, equalling in outer diameter the bottle neck 1.

The washer 3 is formed on its face contacting the bottle neck with concentrical circular ridges 4, in the number of two in the embodiment shown, improving tightness of the seal. The washer 3 has a central hole 3a bored th'erethrough.

A valve body 5, likewise of plastics is placed over the washer 3 and comprises a cylindrical sleeve portion 6 formed with a bottom flange 7 adapted to bear on the washer 3 and extending at its top into a frusto-conical portion 8 tapering upwardly and provided with a sharpedged annular lip 9 on its upper edge.

The valve body 5, is formed on its inside with a plurality of radial ribs v10, in the number of six in the specific embodiment, extending from the flanged bottom of the sleeve 6 beyond the lip 9. The valve body 5 is provided with a disc-shaped closure 12 fixed to the upper ends of ribs .10 and comprising a tubular extension 11 coaxially fixed within the valve body 5. The disc 12 has a central hole 13 bored 'therethrough for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The sharp-edged circumferential lip 9 on the valve body 5 and the circumferential portion of the disc 12 cfficiently cooperate to prevent dripping of delivered liquid.

The lip 9 is defined by intersection of the flat end face of the valve body 5 and end portion of its side wall which is of a conical profile, the cone apex being opposed to the disc 12.

A valve member 14- made in plastic material such as polystyrene is arranged within the valve body 5 and comprises a tubular stem 15 provided at its bottom with a head portion 16 of a spherical segment cross-sectional shape.

When the bottle is in its upright position the head portion v16 on the valve member 14 is sealed in the seat formed by the top edge of the central hole 3a in the washer 3, thereby closing the bottle opening.

The valve member 14 is cap-able of universal movement within the valve body 5, more particularly of axial displacement to move the circular edge on its head portion 16 into contact with the likewise circular edge of substantially the same diameter on the tubular extension 11, as well as of transverse displacement owing to the difference between the bore in the tubular extension .11 and outer diameter of the tubular stem 15' of the valve member 14. Also, the head portion '16 can displace transversely in the space defined by the radial ribs 10.

Moreover, the valve axis can take any inclination to the axis of the cap 5 Within the limits imposed by the ratio of the diameters and lengths of the stem 15 to the extension 11. These components are so dimensioned that the valve member 14 engages its respective seat 3a even with the maximum inclination (FIGURE 2) by the outer surface of the spherical segment shaped head portion 16 between its two bases. The spherical configuration of the head 16 causes the valve member 14 to eifect a tight seal of the seat 3a with any inclination.

The tubular stem 15 is formed with a ragged edge 17 at its free end.

The valve member 14- is formed in its head portion with an axial bore 26 facing the inside of the bottle which on leaning of the bottle becomes filled with liquid, thereby facilitating unseating of the valve member 14 from its seat 3.

The valve body 5 enclosing valve member 14 is secured to the bottle neck 1 by means of a curled ring 18 through the interposition of washer 3.

A cover 19 is fitted on the valve body 5 by inserting its axial stem 20 into the hole 13 in the disc 12, the stem 21 being engaged at its end by a matching seat 21 within the tubular stem 15, whereby the valve member 14 is pressed onto its seat 3a.

' The cover =19 can be depressed to bear by a bottom flange 22 thereon on the flange 7 on the valve body 5. The length of the stem 20 is such as to force in this position the valve body 14 onto its seat in the washer 3 thereby ensuring a tight seal through the slight resilient deformation of the seat under the valve pressure.

The cover 19 is next secured to the valve body 5, hence to the bottle by means of a warranty band 23.

The device operates as follows: v

Upon removing the warranty band 23 the cover 19 is removed. On leaning of the bottle, before its reaching a horizontal position the liquid thrust on the valve member 14, unseats it from its seat 3a. The liquid now freely flows to the outside through the hole in the washer 3, axial channels defined by ribs 10, tubular extension :11 and valve body 5, and flows out through the opening 24.

As the bottle is restored to its upright position the valve member 14 readily falls and seals on its seat, whichever its inclination therein.

Unauthorized re-filling of the bottle is prevented in any position including the horizontal position of the bottle through thrust exerted on the valve member 14 by a aoagsaa liquid tending to fill the bottle. Through its extremely light weight and peculiar configuration the valve member 14- is readily restored onto its seat 3a by liquidtending to enter the bottle, whereby flow of the liquid into the bottle is prevented. It will be seen from FIGURE 4 that the thrust of liquid on the inner surface of an annular recess 25 between the valve head portion 16 and stem 15 presses the valve member 14- against the seat 351. The closure of the valve is speeded-up by frictional drag of fluid passing by the initially unseated valve member 14. Even in the limit case shown in FIGURE 3, in which the valve is at its maximum lift and abuts in a centered position the tubular extension 11, the liquid friction on the outer wall on the head portion 16 is' sutficient to slightly remove the valve from the said. position, where'- pon the valve falls back closing the seat 3a.

To prevent the valve 14 from being stuck-up to the disc I12 by sugary or similar deposits, the tubular stem 15 is provided at its free end with a ragged edge 17.

FIGURES 6 to 8 show a modified valve construction. Parts common to the previously described embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals. The washer 3 is formed on its top surface with an annular extension 28 which becomes engaged on fitting of the valve body to the washer by a plurality of notches cut in the base of the ribs 10'.

The extension 28 is formed with an annular groove 29 adapted to receive by snap action a matching rib 29a on the inner wall of the bottom sleeve portion 6 of the valve body 5.

The head portion '16 on the valve member 14 is made frusto-conical.

The end Bil on the stem 29 on the cover 19 is of cruciform cross section and is adapted to engage a complementary seat 21 in the tubular stem on the valve member 14 on pressing of the latter onto its seat 3a.

The cover 19 can be depressed to cause its bottom flange 22 to bear on the flange '7 on the valve body 5. The length of the stem is such as to press in this position the valve member 14 onto its seat 3a, thereby affording a tight seal through the slight resilient deformation of the latter.

In this position of the cover 19, or if the latter is slightly lifted from the valve body 5, provided the stem end is still engaged by the seat 21, the stem 15 on the valve member 14 remains coupled with the cover 19, which obviates a deficiency which might arise in thefembodiment shown in FIGURES 1 to 5.

In use of the closure of the first described embodiment it was found that when the atmospheric pressure is greater than that in the bottle, the valve member 14 adheres to its seat after removal of the cover. 19 and tilting of the bottle, thus preventing the pouring.

Using the embodiment shown in FIGURES 6-8 it is possible to unseat the valve member as follows:

The valve member is rotated in its seat 3a by means of the cover 19 and its stem 20. The frusto-conical head 16 is formed on its larger circumference with a tooth 31 projecting radially and outwardly. The tooth 3 1 is of such a length that on rotation of the valve member 14 in its seat 3a the tooth abuts the inner edge of the nearest rib it (FIGURE 8).

On tending to further rotate the valve 1% by means of the cover 19 abutment of the tooth B1 and contacting rib 10 inclines the valve till the latter is upset from its seat (FIGURE 7). This is sufi'icient to break the seal and equalize the pressure within and without the bottle.

Upon upsetting of the valve member .14, the closure operates like the embodiment described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 5.

What I claim is:

l. Valved bottle closure adapted'to prevent unauthorized re-filling, comprising a valve body and a valve seat both fixed to the bottle neck and a mushroom valve member comprising a cylindrical stem and a hollow head portion the outer surface of which is a revolution surface adapted to engage sealingly the valve seat, the said valve member being movable within a valve body and guided therein by guide means comprising an inner tubular extension of the valve body having a substantially larger diameter than said cylindrical stem and a plurality of ribs extending radially and inwardly from said valve body to define a cavity having a substantially larger diameter than said valve head portion.

' 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameters of the larger base of the valve head portion and tubular extension are substantially the same.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free end of the stern of the valve member is of ragged profile preventing sticking thereof to a disc fast with the tubular extension of the valve body.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head on the valve member is formed with an axial recess facing the bottle inside which, on leaning of the bottle, becomes filled with liquid, thereby facilitating unseating of the valve member from its seat.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free end of the stem on the valve member is formed with a prismatic seat, a cover being provided comprising a stem, the free end of which is engageable by the said seat to couple in rotation the cover and valve, the head on the valve member being provided with a radial tooth adapted to abut on rotation of the valve in its seat radial ribs on the valve body to unseat the valve member from its seat.

6. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is formed with radial liquid outflow openings between the periphery of the disc fast with the tubular extension and the lip on the valve body, the said lip being formed with a sharp edge acting as a drip preventing spout.

No references cited. 

1. VALVED BOTTLE CLOSURE ADAPTED TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED RE-FILLING, COMPRISING A VALVE BODY AND A VALVE SEAT BOTH FIXED TO THE BOTTLE NECK AND A MUSHROOM VALVE MEMBER COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL STEM AND A HOLLOW HEAD PORTION THE OUTER SURFACE OF WHICH IS A REVOLUTION SURFACE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SEALINGLY THE VALVE SEAT, THE SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING MOVABLE WITHIN A VALVE BODY AND GUIDED THEREIN BY GUIDE MEANS COMPRISING AN INNER TUBULAR EXTENSION OF THE VALVE BODY HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID CYLINDRICAL STEM AND A PLURALITY OF RIBS EXTENDING RADIALLY AND INWARDLY FROM SAID VALVE BODY TO DEFINE A CAVITY HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID VALVE HEAD PORTION. 